Tuesday, 14 January 2020
Sir Martyn Poliakoff has been recognised for his work on the international scientific stage by the 2019 International Science and Technology Cooperation Award of the People’s Republic of China - the nation's highest honour for foreign scientists.
Sir Martyn was the only UK recipient amongst the 10 people who won the 2019 award which recognises the key role foreign scientists have played in China's scientific development and reflects China's increasing efforts to diversify its science partners over recent years. As the leading recipient, Sir Martyn was handed his certificate by President Xi Jinping in a formal ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in front of an audience of 3000.
As well as his research on super-critical fluids for green chemistry and being the face of the popular Periodic Table of Videos, Professor Poliakoff is also a lecturer on the four year BSc (Hons) Chemistry course at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). During their studies, students spend their final two years studying at the UK campus and regularly receive lectures from visiting UK professors during their first two years in Ningbo.
Professor Poliakoff has also established a collaboration with the Institute of Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he has worked with Buxing Han, Honorary Professor of Chemistry at both UNUK and UNNC. As Foreign Secretary of the UK’s Royal Society, he worked extensively with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Sir Martyn has also recently worked with CAST (the China Association for Science & Technology) on science communication and was the opening speaker at their inaugural World Conference on Science Literacy in Beijing in 2018.
“I am honoured and delighted to receive this highly prestigious award. I look forward to continuing to strengthen the scientific collaboration between our two countries, so that, together, we can address the challenges of the 21st century.”
Professor Poliakoff continues to travel to China to share his experience and expertise with students in Ningbo. He has claimed that, since he himself received inspiration from numerous supportive instructors, he wishes to pass on his experience to support the emerging generation of young scientists.
Story credits
More information on the research is available from Professor Martyn Poliakoff at the University of Nottingham on martyn.poliakoff@nottingham.ac.ukorJane Icke Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham, on 0115 951 5751 or jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
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